Anaheim fundraiser benefits indigenous runners

Aug. 5, 2012

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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A poster announcing the Orange County Peace and Dignity Journey fundraiser hangs at a booth outside the Anaheim Independencia Community Center on Friday night. THERESA CISNEROS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Attendees take part in a cake walk Friday night during the Orange County Peace and Dignity Journey fundraiser, held Friday night at the Anaheim Independencia Community Center. THERESA CISNEROS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Members of La Colonia Independencia Women's Club pose for a photo during the Orange County Peace and Dignity Journey fundraiser, held Friday night at the Anaheim Independencia Community Center. The group helps longtime families with burial expenses and other outreach. THERESA CISNEROS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Joel Hernandez of 7th Illusion sings while Emilio Ramos, right, holds the mic during the Orange County Peace and Dignity Journey fundraiser, held Friday night at the Anaheim Independencia Community Center. THERESA CISNEROS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Organizers of the Orange County Peace and Dignity Journey fundraiser, held Friday night at the Anaheim Independencia Community Center, pose for a group photo. THERESA CISNEROS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Joese Hernandez entertains the crowd with song and spoken word during the Orange County Peace and Dignity Journey fundraiser, held Friday night at the Anaheim Independencia Community Center. THERESA CISNEROS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Fundraiser organizer Michelle Garcia speaks to neighborhood children about the history of La Colonia Independencia during the Orange County Peace and Dignity Journey fundraiser, held Friday night at the Anaheim Independencia Community Center. THERESA CISNEROS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

A poster announcing the Orange County Peace and Dignity Journey fundraiser hangs at a booth outside the Anaheim Independencia Community Center on Friday night.THERESA CISNEROS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

ANAHEIM – About 150 people attended an outdoor festival this weekend to raise funds for feeding and housing 25 runners taking part in a trek that unites indigenous communities in the Western Hemisphere.

The event, titled "A Night Under the Stars," was held Friday at the Anaheim Independencia Community Center – a social hub nestled inside La Colonia Independencia, one of Orange County's early Mexican American enclaves.

The gathering was sponsored by the Orange County Peace and Dignity Journey, and featured face painting, food booths, raffles, music and spoken word and more.

Peace and Dignity Journeys are held every four years. Runners start out simultaneously in North and South America and meet in Central America, fulfilling an indigenous prophecy that calls for the indigenous peoples in the Western Hemisphere to reunite.

The 2012 run began in Alaska and Argentina and will end in Panama later this year.

Proceeds from Friday's fundraiser will help OCPDJ care for about 25 of these runners when the group passes through Anaheim on Aug. 27.

The arrival has a direct tie into La Colonia Independencia because many indigenous families also put down roots there when the neighborhood was forming in the early 1900s, event co-organizer Michelle Garcia told the crowd.

Friday's event was attended by dozens of supporters and neighbors – many of whom are second or third generation residents.

Members of La Colonia Independencia Women's Club also used the opportunity to raise money for their recently-revived organization by sponsoring a cake walk booth.

The club supports longtime neighborhood families when their loved ones die by helping with funeral costs, assisting with post-funeral receptions and delivering food to the grieving families.

"As more of the older generation passes away, we need to step up," said President Sandra West, 59, whose family has lived in the area for more than 60 years. "Our mothers used to do this; now it's our turn."

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